Crimes against wild birds rising

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The number of reported crimes against wild birds in Wales has risen by more than 60%, a wildlife charity says.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) said 143 incidents were noted in 2006 compared to 91 in 2005.

The most common type reported was the shooting of wild birds, followed by nest destruction and poisoning.

The RSPB said more than half of incidents took place in Denighshire, Flintshire, Conwy and Gwynedd making them a "blackspot for wild bird crime".

"The Birdcrime 2006 report shows a significant increase in wild bird crime in Wales," said Wendy Johnson from the charity.

WILD BIRD CRIME Blaenau Gwent 1 Bridgend 2 Caerphilly 4 Cardiff 5Carmarthenshire 7 Ceredigion 8 Conwy 13Denbighshire 30Flintshire 14Gwynedd 18Isle of Anglesey 5Merthyr Tydfil 2 Monmouthshire 3 Newport 3Pembrokeshire 1 Powys 7 Rhondda, Cynon, Taff 6 Swansea 1Torfaen 2Vale of Glamorgan 3 Wrexham 8<i>Source: RSPB Wales Birdcrime 2006, per county</i>

"The procedure for reporting such crimes has improved over recent years and it is encouraging that more people are taking it seriously enough to report to the RSPB or to their local wildlife crime officer.

"However, the fact remains that wild bird crime is still far too common in Wales."

Ms Johnson said many cases targeted birds of prey including peregrines, buzzards and red kites.

"It would be awful if the persecution of these magnificent birds meant that people were not able to enjoy some of our most beautiful countryside and see these birds in their natural habitat," she added.

Even though the RSPB's investigations unit received reports of 143 incidents, the charity said crimes in Wales accounted for 13% of the UK total, the same as in 2005.

2006 marks the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), the primary legislation to protect animals, plants and certain habitats in Britain.